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Rocky Long recently made a funny observation about this year’s San Diego State football team.

“I’m wondering how we’re going to beat anybody,” Long said.

It starts with the first two opponents: Washington and Army. As he watched game film of last year’s Army team, the Aztecs head coach noticed something scary. Army’s triple-option offense used six different blocking schemes in its first 44 plays.

“It’s the triple-option, but they’ve blocked it so many different ways you can’t really tell it’s the triple-option sometimes,” he said.

Keep in mind this is Long’s style -- If you make every opponent sound really difficult, your players will prepare accordingly.

And they have been, according to recent measurements.

The players are faster and stronger. They’ve placed a bigger emphasis on “power clean” weight lifts – a workout they hope will make them more explosive on the field. They’ve even got a safety who bench-presses 370 pounds – junior Eric Pinkins, who weighs just 215.

After two straight winning seasons, it’s all part of the raising of the bar at SDSU. In 2010, a winning record (9-4) was considered a breakthrough for a program that hadn’t had once since 1998. Last year, the Aztecs swept history aside again, this time with their first back-to-back bowl appearances since 1966-67.

It always has been SDSU’s goal. It’s just been almost 15 years since it seemed like the Aztecs had a realistic shot at it.

“I feel like we can play with anyone,” Escobar said.

It helps that several tough opponents are no longer on the Aztecs schedule. In the past two years, Utah, BYU and Texas Christian have left the Mountain West for greener pastures.

Now that they’re gone, SDSU’s schedule ranks as the seventh-easiest in the nation, according to Phil Steele’s College Football Preview.

Just don’t tell that to Long. Or his players. Or Hall, whose job is to “never let them be satisfied, never let them be too comfortable.”

Since May 29, the players have been working in Hall’s summer conditioning program – a voluntary endeavor that’s registered 100-percent attendance. After several weeks, one of the biggest differences has been the power clean lift – where a player picks the weight off the floor and stands up with it.

The Aztecs haven’t really used it in years. But it’s paying off already, helping increase speed and strength in the legs and upper body.

“It’s a really important lift,” Escobar said. “Last year, we didn’t do any power cleans. It helps explosion off the ball, and it can help any position.”

It also helps the Aztecs replace a number of heavyweights from last year. Last year’s strongest player, linebacker Miles Burris, has moved on to the NFL’s Oakland Raiders. He bench-pressed about 440 pounds. This year, SDSU’s strongest two players might be two fullbacks: Chad Young and Chris Gordert, both of whom can clear 400.

They’ll need the extra power. With a new quarterback, new running backs and a new offensive line, SDSU needs all the bullish blockers it can get.

New leadership is needed, too, especially after the departure of four-year starting quarterback Ryan Lindley.

It’s all being cultivated in the weight room – power, speed, strength and leadership. Incoming recruits will join the fray July 9. After that, Hall turns over the team to the coaching staff for the start of preseason camp on Aug. 6.

“We know the expectations for this year, “Hall said. “We have a vision. This is a big year for Aztec football.”

The first game – at Washington in Seattle – is Sept. 1.

And Long is already making the sell.

“Washington is really good,” he said. “And Army is Army. The triple option is so hard to prepare for in a short week. It’s going to be their first game, so you go into the game kind of blind.”